Community Developments 2015

Community Developments

Planning Commission January 6 @ 4:00 p.m.* January 20 @ 6:00 p.m. Happy New Year! The first 2015 edition of February 3 @ 4:00 p.m.* Community Developments includes a community February 17@ 6:00 p.m. meeting for dog owners, a new Planner, a new rezoning application and more! Board of Supervisors January 13 @ 2:00 p.m. Planning Commission Update January 27 @ 3:00 p.m.* February 10 @ 3:00 p.m. December 1st February 24 @ 3:00 p.m.* This meeting was canceled.

* Indicates a meeting with December 15th public hearings beginning at The Planning Commission discussed the Design 7:00 p.m. Public Hearing held on November 20th for the Plantation Road Bicycle, Pedestrian and Streetscape Project and Chapters 6 and 7 of the Comprehensive Plan. Like Roanoke County Planning Services on January 6th Facebook for updates on Two applications have been submitted for this community meetings, meeting: development projects, traffic notices and more! 1. Morgan Ventures, LLC to obtain a Special Use Permit for a broadcasting tower (cell tower) approximately 195 feet in height in a C-2, High Intensity Commercial, District on approximately 1.00 acre, located at 4247 Bonsack Road, Vinton Magisterial District. This application has been postponed at the request of the petitioner.

2. Roger and Deborah Rardin to rezone an approximately 8.00 acre portion of an approximately 19.44 acre parcel from I-2, High Intensity Industrial, District to R-1, Low Density Residential, District and to remove a proffered condition from the 11.44 acre portion of the property zoned R-1, Low Density Residential, District, located west of the Norfolk Southern Railroad near the 5000 block of Poor Mountain Road and north of Bydawyle Road, Catawba Magisterial District.

January 20th The Planning Commission will tentatively discuss a proposed amendment of the Route 221 Area Plan to allow for the extension of a public water line to the Martins' Creek area. A public hearing on the proposed amendment will follow in the coming months.

February 3rd One application is scheduled for a public hearing:

1. Sheldon Henderson to rezone approximately 90 acres from R-1, Low Density Residential, District to AG-3, Agricultural/Rural Preserve, District on property located at 3320 Harborwood Road, Catawba Magisterial District.

January 29th - Off-Leash Dog Park Community Meeting

Leisure Legacy, Inc. is hosting a Community Meeting to discuss the feasibility of establishing an off- leash dog park in Roanoke County. The meeting will be an open house-style event to be held on:

Thursday, January 29th, 2015 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Brambleton Center, 3738 Brambleton Ave.

For more information, contact Wendy Shultz, President of Leisure Legacy, at (540) 387-6078. Welcome to New Planner Brian Hughes

Brian Hughes grew up in Roanoke, working as a Paramedic and Police Officer before attending college. He obtained a degree in Public Affairs from Roanoke College, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Local Government Management from Virginia Tech. While attending school, Brian worked in the Fire Marshal's Office for the City of Roanoke. Brian's wife, Grace, works for Roanoke County as a Social Worker. They have a two year old son named Owen.

Brian will spend time in the community focusing on Code Enforcement efforts. Brambleton Area Business Association Update

About 30 Brambleton-area business representatives from Roanoke City and Roanoke County met at the Brambleton Center on December 11th to discuss bylaws for the new organization. The working name for the group is the Brambleton Area Business Association, abbreviated as BABA.

The merchants will meet again on January 15th at the Brambleton Center to continue working on the bylaws. Vanpooling: Carpooling, Upgraded

Travel along any of the highways around Richmond, Charlottesville, or throughout Northern Virginia during rush hour and you're likely to see vanpools - though you may not know what you're looking at. Like carpooling, vanpooling is a rideshare arrangement worked out by employees at one or more businesses, an arrangement that the employer itself may have no direct involvement in.

Unlike carpooling, vanpooling doesn't rely on using one employee's personal vehicle or sharing among employees. Rather, vanpooling uses a regularly- maintained fleet vehicle - sometimes leased by an employer, most often rented by one of the vanpool participants - and has access to incentives that carpoolers don't. Sometimes, vanpools may serve only one employer, or they may serve multiple employers at a campus or office park site. Employers might subsidize some or all of the trip, or none of it.

The best way to think about vanpooling is a bridge between carpooling and transit, though in this case it's a transit option that is often paid entirely by the folks who ride it. For employers throughout Roanoke County who have looked at options for helping employees get to work, implementing a vanpool program may be a great solution.

Until recently, vanpooling wasn't an option in the Roanoke Valley, but a recent partnership between RIDE Solutions - the regional commuter services agency - and Enterprise Rideshare is working to make vanpooling available to employers throughout the county and beyond. As with all its commuter services, RIDE Solutions can help an employer get started with vanpooling for free, offering matching and marketing assistance, incentives, and its Guaranteed Ride Home program to make sure employees never worry about getting stuck. Through the partnership with Enterprise, businesses which start up a vanpool program have access to experts who can help navigate potential financial incentives through the IRS and a fleet of comfortable vehicles that will assure your employees will never be broken down at the side of the road.

With transportation options now extending from vanpooling to telework, bike commuting to traditional carpooling, RIDE Solutions can help employers build a commuter program that will help their employees and help the bottom line.

For more information on starting a vanpool or promoting other transportation options at your business, or to schedule a free lunch-and-learn for your employees, contact Program Director Jeremy Holmes at 540-342-9393.

Stay warm and have a great month!

Sincerely, Megan Cronise, AICP Principal Planner Community Developments

February 2015

Planning Commission

Feb. 17 @ 6:00 p.m. Mar. 3 @ 4:00 p.m.* Mar. 17 @ 6:00 p.m.

Board of Supervisors Enjoy this month's Community Developments e-newsletter with two new Feb. 10 @ 3:00 p.m. Feb. 24 @ 3:00 p.m.* land use cases, new online mapping applications, updates on community Mar. 10 @ 3:00 p.m. meetings, the Gallop 4 the Greenways race date and more! Mar. 24 @ 3:00 p.m.*

*Indicates a meeting Planning Commission Update with public hearings beginning at 7:00 p.m. January 6th The Planning Commission elected Gene Marrano (Cave Spring District) as its Chairman and Rick James (Vinton District) as its Vice Chairman. Like Roanoke County A public hearing was held on the Planning Services application of Roger and Deborah on Facebook for Rardin to rezone an approximately 8.00 updates on community acre portion of an approximately 19.44 meetings, development acre parcel from I-2, High Intensity projects, traffic notices Industrial, District to R-1, Low Density and more! Residential, District and to remove a proffered condition from the 11.44 acre portion of the property zoned R-1, Low Density Residential, District, located west of the Norfolk Southern Railroad near the 5000 block of Poor Mountain Road and north of Bydawyle Road, Catawba Magisterial District. The Board of Supervisors approved the request at its January 27th meeting.

January 20th The Planning Commission discussed a proposed amendment to the Route 221 Area Plan and possible Zoning Ordinance amendments.

February 3rd Two public hearings were held:

1. The petition of Sheldon Henderson to rezone approximately 90 acres from R-1, Low Density Residential, District to AG-3, Agricultural/Rural Preserve, District on property located at 3320 Harborwood Road, Catawba Magisterial District. The Planning Commission recommended approval of this application.

2. The petition of Morgan Ventures, LLC to obtain a Special Use Permit for a broadcasting tower (cell tower) approximately 195 feet in height in a C-2, High Intensity Commercial, District on approximately 1.00 acre, located at 4247 Bonsack Road, Vinton Magisterial District. The Planning Commission opened the public hearing and continued it until its April 7th meeting in order to receive and review additional information.

February 17th The Planning Commission will hear a presentation on the status of the West Roanoke River Greenway and East Roanoke River Greenway projects.

March 3rd Two applications have been submitted for this meeting:

1. The petition of Fountain Head Land Company, LLC, to amend the proffered conditions, the Planning and Design Document and the Master Plan for the Planned Residential Development (PRD) known as Ballyhack Golf Club (formerly Fountain Head Golf Resort). The proposed amendments would: change the name of Fountain Head Golf Resort to Ballyhack Golf Club; allow access onto Pitzer Road; remove language regarding minimum house sizes; increase the maximum height of lighting from 16 feet to 18 feet; and allow the possibility of the maintenance facility and additional parking to be constructed on the south side of Pitzer Road. The Ballyhack Golf Club PRD measures approximately 368 acres and is located on Pitzer Road near Saul Lane, Vinton Magisterial District.

New Mapping Applications Available

Park View App Roanoke County is excited to announce that is has added two new applications to its Maps and Apps Gallery. First, Property Report is now its own standalone application that provides citizens and other interested parties with local government property tax and assessment information and supplements that information with Google StreetView, 3-D Pictures, Aerial Imagery, Zoning and Tax Map information for a given neighborhood. It is a single application that can be used by citizens on a desktop PC, mobile phone, and tablet device. The report is also accessible from TaxView and OneView applications.

Second, the ParkView application allows citizens to locate park and recreation opportunities in their community. This application is typically used by citizens to locate a park in their community that offers a recreation activity they are interested in, but can also be used by visitors to locate a park in a community they are visiting. It is a single application that can be used by citizens on desktops, smartphones, and tablet devices.

The Apps can be accessed from the Maps and Apps Gallery.

Please contact David Wray, GIS Manager, at 540-777-8564 if you have any questions or concerns.

Dog Park Survey and Community Meeting

Leisure Legacy Incorporated hosted a community meeting on Thursday, January 29, 2015 to discuss the feasibility of establishing a dog park in Roanoke County. Leisure Legacy is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization created to assist Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism in fulfilling its mission. Over the past few years, Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism has received numerous requests for an off-leash area. In response, Leisure Legacy decided that one of its first projects would be a fundraising effort to establish a dog park in Roanoke County.

In order to make this project a success, public input is needed! If you weren't unable to attend the community meeting, Leisure Legacy encourages you to "Bark for your Park" by completing the community interest questionnaire no later than Monday, February 23, 2015. For more information about Leisure Legacy or establishing a dog park in Roanoke County, please visit the Leisure Legacy website or contact Wendi Schultz at (540) 387-6078 ext. 0.

Brambleton Area Business Association Update

Approximately 20 people attended the Brambleton Area Business Association meeting on January 15th to complete edits to the proposed bylaws.

The group will continue working to establish the organization when it meets again on February 12th at 9 a.m. at the Brambleton Center.

Save the Date - May 9th for Gallop 4 the Greenways

Registration is open for the 2015 Gallop 4 the Greenways 5K Race, 4 Mile Race, Group Walk and Fleet Feet Kids' Fun Run! The Gallop is an annual fundraising event to support our growing network of pedestrian and bicycle trails. The event takes place on the beautiful Roanoke River Greenway and post-race festivities include live music, food and beverages. What is Debris and Junk?

Are you concerned about junk or debris on private property in your community? Is it considered trash under Roanoke County Code?

Trash is defined as "abandoned personal property, garbage, refuse, rubbish, litter or debris."

Per Section 13-154 of the Code of the County of Roanoke, it shall be unlawful for the owner of any parcel to allow the accumulation of trash on any parcel or property. The owner of any parcel or property shall maintain all exterior property areas in a clean, safe condition free from the accumulation of trash. Any owner who violates this provision shall be subject to a civil penalty, which may be increased for subsequent violations within a twelve (12) month period.

Please report your concern through our Code Compliance Complaint Form accessed from the Roanoke County Planning and Zoning webpage. Be sure to include the specific location of the alleged violation, a detailed description of your complaint and your contact information. A Code Enforcement Officer may need to contact you for additional information.

The Trend Towards More Time

At the 2014 Governor's Transportation Conference, held at the Hotel Roanoke, Dr. Myra Blanco of the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute offered a talk on the future of automated vehicles - cars that don't need to have a human at the wheel, or even in a seat, to drive on regular roads. Rather than the stuff of science fiction, there are trends we're seeing in driver behavior right now that affect both transportation decisions and road safety.

Drivers, Dr. Blanco suggested, simply aren't interested in driving any more. With the penetration of technology into almost every part of our lives, people are increasingly seeing driving as secondary to using their mobile devices, working on their tablets or talking on the phone. Time spent commuting was once seen as a necessary evil. Now, it's increasingly seen as an annoyance.

Nationally, we spend about 3.6 billion hours behind the wheel, representing $70 billion in lost productivity. Other trends show people are responding to the time requirements of commuting - we are seeing historically low rates of 16 year olds getting their drivers licenses; car ownership among people in their 20s is at an all-time low; and recent census data shows a significant migration from the suburbs back to urban centers. Indeed, Virginia Tech's own research shows the average driver already spends about 10% of their time doing something other than driving while behind the wheel. Whether folks are in a car or trying to avoid getting in one, the data shows that more and more people are less and less interested in driving.

Fortunately, there are solutions, and we don't have to wait for Google Cars to be whipping along the Roanoke Valley's roads. Options such as transit and carpooling can give people back their time. Even if a trip is longer, mobile devices and access to on-board wifi such as what's available on the Smart Way bus mean people can do more on their trip, whether that's getting a head start on the day's email or winding down with a game of Candy Crush on the carpool home.

In a way, the future is already here.

If you want to explore your driverless vehicle options, get in touch with RIDE Solutions for a carpool match or transit route information.

Have a great month!

Sincerely, Megan Cronise, AICP Principal Planner Community Developments

March 2015

Planning Commission

Mar. 17 @ 6:00 p.m. April 7 canceled April 21 @ 6:00 p.m.

Board of Supervisors

Mar. 10 @ 3:00 p.m. Mar. 24 @ 3:00 p.m.* April 14 @ 3:00 p.m. April 28 @ 3:00 p.m.*

*Indicates a meeting with public hearings We have had enough of winter weather and are looking forward to spring- beginning at 7:00 like temperatures and getting back outside. Greenways, races, beekeeping p.m. and outdoor projects are included in our March edition!

Planning Commission Update

February 3rd Like Roanoke County Two public hearings were held: Planning Services 1. The petition of Sheldon Henderson to rezone approximately 90 acres from on Facebook for R-1, Low Density Residential, District to AG-3, Agricultural/Rural Preserve, updates on community District on property located at 3320 Harborwood Road, Catawba Magisterial meetings, development District. The Planning Commission recommended approval and the Board of projects, traffic notices Supervisors approved the application at its February 24th meeting. and more! 2. The petition of Morgan Ventures, LLC to obtain a Special Use Permit for a broadcasting tower (cell tower) approximately 195 feet in height in a C-2, High Intensity Commercial, District on approximately 1.00 acre, located at 4247 Bonsack Road, Vinton Magisterial District. The Planning Commission opened the public hearing and continued it until its April 7th meeting in order to receive and review additional information. The application was later withdrawn by the petitioner.

February 17th This meeting was canceled due to inclement weather.

March 3rd The Planning Commission heard a presentation on the status of the West and East Roanoke River Greenway projects given by Doug Blount, Roanoke County Director of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, Lindsay Blankenship, Roanoke County Greenway Planner, and Liz Belcher, Roanoke Valley Greenway Coordinator.

Two public hearings were also held: 1. The petition of Fountain Head Land Company, LLC, to amend the proffered conditions, the Planning and Design Document and the Master Plan for the Planned Residential Development (PRD) known as Ballyhack Golf Club (formerly Fountain Head Golf Resort). The proposed amendments would: change the name of Fountain Head Golf Resort to Ballyhack Golf Club; allow access onto Pitzer Road; remove language regarding minimum house sizes; increase the maximum height of lighting from 16 feet to 18 feet; and allow the possibility of the maintenance facility and additional parking to be constructed on the south side of Pitzer Road. The Ballyhack Golf Club PRD measures approximately 368 acres and is located on Pitzer Road near Saul Lane, Vinton Magisterial District. The Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of this request. The Board of Supervisors Public Hearing will be held on March 24th.

2. The petition of Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc, to rezone approximately 5.59 acres from I-1, Low Intensity Industrial, District to C-2, High Intensity Commercial, District for communication services (television production and broadcasting), located at 5305 and 5310 Valleypark Drive, Catawba Magisterial District. The Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of this request. The Board of Supervisors Public Hearing will be held on March 24th.

March 17th The Planning Commission will discuss wireless technology with George Condyles, Atlantic Technology Consultants, and possible Zoning Ordinance amendments.

April 7th No applications were submitted for this meeting and it has been canceled.

Brambleton Area Business Association Update

The next meeting will be held Thursday, March 12th at 9 a.m. at the Brambleton Center. The final Bylaws will be voted on, officer nominations will begin and both Roanoke City and Roanoke County will provide updates on a number of topics.

Welcome to Naomi Siodmok!

Naomi Siodmok recently joined Roanoke County's Department of Community Development as a Planner II where she will be assisting with the County's long and short term planning efforts. Naomi received her Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) degree as well as a certificate in Geographic Information Systems from Virginia Commonwealth University after receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Virginia.

Her experience includes working with local and state government in emergency management and planning as well as with non-profits involved in smart growth and affordable housing. While pursuing her MURP degree, Naomi did freelance work with classmates, which involved creating both original designs and computer renderings of proposed developments in the Richmond Region.

Having recently moved to the area from Richmond, Virginia, Naomi is looking forward to learning more about the County of Roanoke and interacting with residents to ensure Roanoke remains a great place to live. Rocky Road Construction Begins

Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) contractors have begun reconstructing an unpaved section of Route 744, Rocky Road. Crews are improving drainage ditches and pipes, and grading adjoining slopes. The road will be surface-treated with asphalt and gravel, to match the existing paved sections of the rural roadway.

Funds for the project were allocated through the VDOT Secondary System Six Year Improvement Program. Construction is estimated to be completed in June, 2015.

March 28th - Beginning Beekeeper Workshop

This one day class will prepare the beginning beekeeper to enjoy a successful season. The classroom instruction and field demonstrations provide participants with a strong foundation of beekeeping knowledge. The fee for the workshop is $100, which includes a beekeeping book and lunch. The class will run from 9:00 to 5:00 at the Catawba Sustainability Center in Catawba, Virginia.

Topics Include:

History of the Hive and Honeybee Honeybee Biology Necessary Equipment Honeybee Pests and Diseases Laws and Regulations African Honeybees Pollen and Nectar Sources Harvesting Your Honey

For more information, please contact Josh Nease at (540) 553-2311 or Erin Burcham at (540) 767-6145.

May 9th - Gallop 4 the Greenways

Thinking about Building a Fence?

Are you interested in making improvements to your property such as constructing a fence? Please be aware of the following:

Except as provided for in Sections 30-92 and 30-100-8 of the County Code, fences may be constructed in any location, on any lot and on any lot occupied by a residential use type, but fences located in front of the building line shall not exceed four (4) feet in height. Additional regulations for corner lots apply. Check your plat to make sure you construct the fence on your property and be cautious about building on or across any easements.

Remember to call Miss Utility before digging at 1-800-552-7001. If you have any questions, please call Planning and Zoning staff at 540-772-2065 extension 221.

Have a great month!

Sincerely, Megan Cronise, AICP Principal Planner Community Developments

April 2015

Planning Commission

April 7 canceled April 21 @ 6:00 p.m. May 5 @ 4:00 p.m.* May 19 @ 6:00 p.m.

Board of Supervisors

April 14 @ 3:00 p.m. April 21 @ 6:00 p.m. April 28 @ 3:00 p.m.* May 12 @ 3:00 p.m. May 26 @ 3:00 p.m.*

*Indicates a meeting with public hearings beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Like Roanoke County Planning Services on Facebook for Happy Spring! Enjoy this month's edition of updates on community Community Developments! meetings, development projects, traffic notices and more! Planning Commission Update

March 17th The Planning Commission discussed wireless technology with George Condyles, Atlantic Technology Consultants, and possible Zoning Ordinance amendments.

April 7th No applications were submitted for this meeting and it has been canceled.

April 21st The Planning Commission will discuss proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance.

May 5th Two applications have been submitted for this meeting: 1. The petition of PEG Bandwidth to amend a Special Use Permit condition to allow for the addition of a microwave antenna to an existing broadcasting tower in a AG-1S, Agricultural/Rural Low Density, District with Special Use Permit and AV, Agricultural/Village Center, District on approximately 35.85 acres, located at 6334 Franklin Road, Cave Spring Magisterial District.

2. The petition of The Branch Family LLC to obtain a special use permit for equipment sales and rentals in a C-2C, High Intensity Commercial, District, with conditions on an approximately 1.516 acre lot, located near 5130 Peters Creek Road, Catawba Magisterial District.

April 1st - Cupcakes for Gallop 4 the Greenways

Support our local greenways and the Gallop 4 the Greenways with Bubblecake cupcakes!

When: April 1st from 4 to 8 p.m.

Where: Bubblecake Bake Shops 2123 Crystal Spring Avenue 3232 Electric Road

What: 30 percent of all sales (excluding taxes) will go to the Gallop 4 the Greenways!

Thank you to Bubblecake for its generosity! Click for larger PDF

View the Roanoke Valley Greenways Facebook Event for additional information.

April 24th - Arbor Day

Did you know that the oak tree is America's National Tree and the flowering dogwood is Virginia's State Tree? Arbor Day was founded in 1872 by J. Sterling Morton in Nebraska City, Nebraska and an estimated one million trees were planted that day. In honor of National Arbor Day, Roanoke County encourages residents, business, and organizations to plant trees in their community. If you're not sure what trees to plant? The Arbor Day Foundation's Tree Wizard can help you. For a list of native trees growing throughout Virginia, check out the Virginia Department of Forestry's Tree Identification Guide.

Designated as a Tree City USA Community for 17 years, Roanoke County is observing National Arbor Day with a celebration at Mount Pleasant Elementary School on Friday, April 24, 2015. The celebration will include a ceremonial tree planting, a presentation by State Foresters on the importance of trees,and a presentation by faculty and students. The Clean Valley Council and the Virginia Department of Forestry are sponsoring tree plantings on the school grounds. Among those invited to the ceremony are Roanoke County officials, Roanoke County School Board members, administrators and staff, and parents of the students who will be involved in the program.

Cleaner air, improved storm water management, energy savings, and increased property values are among the benefits enjoyed by Tree City USA communities. Roanoke County encourages residents, businesses, and organizations to plant a tree in the community in honor of National Arbor Day. State foresters and Smokey the Bear, a symbol of protection of America's forests, will be at the ceremony to help celebrate Arbor Day!

May 9th - Gallop 4 the Greenways

Brambleton Area Business Association Update

At the March 12th meeting the group adopted bylaws, elected Gloria Fox of Potentially Chic as President and Mike Shelton of the New River Financial Group as Secretary. The next steps include creating a public Facebook page and working on the Articles of Incorporation. Roanoke County and Roanoke City Staff shared several updates including recent police activity in the area.

The next meeting will be held Thursday, April 16th at 9 a.m. at the Brambleton Center. Attendees are asked to bring thoughts for the first promotion, project or event the group should undertake.

RIDE Solutions Accepting Nominations for Bicycle Awards

Each May, to celebrate National Bicycle Month, the commuter services program RIDE Solutions recognizes people who have worked to make bicycling easier and safer throughout Southwest Virginia. The Bike Month awards recognize individuals who have contributed, privately or professionally, to improve bicycle amenities and conditions in the Valley, or who have shown personal dedication to using their bicycle as a clean, healthy transportation alternative.

RIDE Solutions accepts nominations in two categories:

* The Bike Hero Award is given to an individual who has shown dedication to the use and advocacy of the bicycle as a transportation alternative in their day-to-day activities, their work in the community to improve bicycle accommodations, and their encouragement through advocacy or by example for others to replace vehicle trips with bicycle trips.

* The Extraordinary Bicycle Professional Award is given to an employee in the public or private sector who has shown remarkable leadership in encouraging the use of bicycling as a transportation alternative. The award is given once per year and can recognize work in a broad range of activities.

Award nominations can be submitted online. Winners will receive a plaque, a selection of gifts from local businesses, and recognition at a Bike Month event.

Past winners from the Roanoke Valley have included cyclists Rob Issem and Min Johnson; East Coasters bike shop owner Wesley Best; Roanoke Valley Greenways Coordinator Liz Belcher; and Salem City Schools administrator Curtis Hicks.

The Bike Awards are part of RIDE Solutions' series of events celebrating Bike Month in central and southwest Virginia, including the Bike Shorts Film Festival, the Clean Commute Challenge, the Night Rider's Ball, and more. A complete calendar of events can be found at Ride Solutions.

Grass: How Tall is Too Tall?

According to Roanoke County Code Section 13-153, any plant, grass or other vegetation covering a substantial portion of a parcel zoned for residential, business, commercial or industrial use must be kept shorter than 12 inches tall. Do you see grass taller than 12 inches? File a complaint online or call (540) 772- 2068 ext. 221.

Have another great month!

Sincerely, Megan Cronise, AICP Principal Planner Community Developments

In This Issue

Planning Commission Update We have many outdoor-related articles this month and lots going on. Enjoy the May edition of Community Developments! May 9th - Gallop 4 the Greenways

May 16th - Rally for Road Planning Commission Update Safety Pipeline Advisory Committee April 7th Mountain Valley Pipeline EIS No applications were submitted for this meeting and it was Scoping Process canceled. Roanoke County Celebrates April 21st Arbor Day with a Tree Planting The Planning Commission discussed proposed amendments to the Roanoke County Releases Zoning Ordinance. ParkView Application

Roanoke Valley Greenways May 5th 2015 Photo Contest Two applications have been submitted for this meeting: 1. The petition of PEG Bandwidth to amend a Special Use Permit It's Time for Spring Cleaning condition to allow for the addition of a microwave antenna to an RIDE Solutions Launches existing broadcasting tower in a AG-1S, Agricultural/Rural Low Annual Clean Commute Density, District with Special Use Permit and AV, Challenge Agricultural/Village Center, District on approximately 35.85 acres, located at 6334 Franklin Road, Cave Spring Magisterial District. Upcoming Meetings 2. The petition of The Branch Family LLC to obtain a special use Planning Commission permit for equipment sales and rentals in a C-2C, High Intensity May 5 @ 4 p.m.* Commercial, District, with conditions on an approximately 1.516 May 19 @ 6 p.m. June 2 @ 4 p.m.* acre lot, located near 5130 Peters Creek Road, Catawba June 16 @ 6 p.m. Magisterial District. Board of Supervisors May 19th May 12 @ 3 p.m. The agenda for this meeting has not been set. May 26 @ 3 p.m.* June 9 @ 3 p.m. June 2nd June 23 @ 3 p.m.*

One application has been submitted for this meeting: *Indicates a meeting with public 1. The petition of Carl and Carol Slate to obtain a special use hearings beginning at 7 p.m. permit for a private stable in a R-1, Low Density Residential, District, on approximately 2.012 acres, located at 7904 Carvin Street, Hollins Magisterial District. Like Roanoke County Planning Services on Facebook for updates on community meetings, development projects, traffic May 9th - Gallop 4 the Greenways notices and more!

There is still time to sign up to run or to volunteer for the Gallop 4 the Greenways on May 9th! The 3.1 mile and 4 mile races begin at 5 p.m. on Wiley Drive near River's Edge Sports Complex. Stay for the after-race party with live music, food and beverages for adults and children!

May 16th - Rally for Road Safety

Click for larger PDF

Pipeline Advisory Committee

On March 10th, the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors appointed a Pipeline Advisory Committee. The Pipeline Advisory Committee (PAC) is an advisory committee to provide an opportunity for key stakeholders to assist both the Board in its review of the potential benefits of the pipeline as well as potential impacts to citizens, businesses and natural resources within the County. The key roles and responsibilities of the PAC members are as follows:

Review materials presented; Identify key concerns and issues; Provide and present input, advise and feedback on pertinent issues; Explore potential areas of agreement around key issues; Provide advice on the most effective manner of involving the general public at key points in the project; Participate in all meetings.

The Committee has held several meetings to date. Meetings of the Committee are open to the public. The next scheduled meeting of the Pipeline Advisory Committee is May 18th at 12:00 p.m. (noon) at the South County Library Auditorium, 6303 Merriman Road.

In addition to the Pipeline Advisory Committee, the County has placed relevant information regarding the Mountain Valley Pipeline on its website. To view this information, just click on the Mountain Valley Pipeline icon from the County's home page.

Mountain Valley Pipeline EIS Scoping Process

On April 17th, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) announced that it will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) that will discuss the environmental impacts of the Mountain Valley Pipeline Project (MVP Project) involving construction and operation of natural gas facilities by Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC (Mountain Valley), a joint venture between affiliates of EQT Corporation and NextEra Energy, Inc., in West Virginia and Virginia.

With the opening of the EIS scoping process, FERC will gather input from the public and interested agencies on the project. According to FERC, specific comments or concerns about the project should focus on the potential environmental effects, reasonable alternatives, and measures to avoid or lessen environmental impacts. Public input will help FERC staff determine what issues need to be evaluated in the EIS. Comments can be sent using the eComment or eFiling feature located on the Commission's website or by sending a paper copy of your comments to Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. The deadline to submit comments as part of the EIS scoping process is June 16, 2015.

In addition, FERC is hosting several public scoping meetings as follows:

FERC Public Scoping Meetings - MVP Project Date and Time Location Monday, May 4, James Monroe High School 2015 Route 1, Lindside, WV 24951 7:00pm Tuesday, May 5, Eastern Montgomery High School 2015 4695 Crozier Road, Elliston, VA 7:00pm 24087 Thursday, May 7, Chatham High School 2015 100 Cavalier Circle, Chatham, VA 7:00pm 24531 Monday, May 11, Robert C. Byrd Center 2015 992 North Fork Road, Pine 7:00pm Grove, WV 26419 West Virginia University Tuesday, May 12, Jackson's Mill 2015 160 WVU Jackson Mill, Weston, 7:00pm WV 26452 Wednesday, May Nicholas County High School 13, 2015 30 Grizzly Road, Summersville, 7:00pm WV 26651

Speakers can sign-up to speak starting at 6:00 pm. The scoping meetings will begin at 7:00 pm, with a description of the environmental review process by FERC staff, after which speakers will be called. A time limit of three minutes per speaker may be implemented to ensure that as many individuals as possible are given an opportunity to comment.

Roanoke County Celebrates Arbor Day with a Tree Planting

Students at Mount Pleasant Elementary School observed Arbor Day today with student presentations, music, a visit from Smokey Bear, and a ceremonial tree planting. This event will help Roanoke County retain its Tree City USA designation by the Arbor Day Foundation, honoring the County's commitment to effective urban forest management. Roanoke County has held the title for 17 consecutive years, and is currently one of only three counties in Virginia to hold the designation.

During the event P. Jason Peters of the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors read a proclamation recognizing April 24 as National Arbor Day in Roanoke County. Remarks were also made by Michael W. Altizer of the Roanoke County School Board. Students shared songs and poems about the value of trees. Finally, Department of Forestry spokesman Dennis McCarthy captivated the students with lessons on the importance of environmental stewardship. According to McCarthy, presentations like this one play an important role in childhood education. "We want them to grow up recognizing those values and grow up taking them into adulthood so they're more inclined to plant trees at home and in their own communities."

This year's event was administered by the Clean Valley Council, whose leadership made it possible for ten new trees to be planted at Mount Pleasant through a $1200 matching grant from the Virginia Department of Forestry. The Arbor Day Observance was one of four requirements for the Tree City USA designation, including; a tree-care ordinance, a tree board, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

Additional pictures and video from Roanoke County's Arbor Day event are available on request. More information on the Tree City USA program is available at arborday.org/TreeCityUSA.

Roanoke County Releases ParkView Application

Roanoke County is pleased to announce the release of a new application named ParkView. This application is typically used by citizens to locate a park in their community that offers a recreation activity they are interested in, but can also be used by visitors to locate a park in a community they are visiting. It is a single application that can be used by citizens on desktops, smartphones, and tablet devices.

ParkView provides residents and visitors an easy way to find parks near them, a park by its name, or recreation opportunities offered in parks within the community. They can enter their address, owner name, Parcel ID or click on the Current Location button to find parks near them. If they click the Current Location button, it will use their computer's IP address to locate parks near them. When they enter their address or use their current location, the application will present a list of parks near them and allow them to review relevant information about each park. In addition, residents and visitors can search for a park, or specific recreation activity they'd like to undertake, by name. To do that, they can enter the name of the park or select a recreation activity by icon. Then, the application will find the park or present a list of parks that offer the recreation activity they're interested in and allow them to review relevant information about each park.

The application can used by parks departments, planning departments, facilities departments or other local government organizations responsible for managing parks and recreation activities. This application provides 24/7 access to the organization and typically supplements customer service phone numbers staffed by these organizations. Visit the Maps and Apps Gallery to view other Roanoke County mapping applications.

Roanoke Valley Greenways 2015 Photo Contest

The Roanoke Valley Greenway Commission has launched the 3rd annual Roanoke Valley Greenways Photo Contest. Roanoke Valley Greenways is looking for images captured along the greenway corridors and trails comprising the Roanoke Valley Greenway system within the cities of Roanoke and Salem, Roanoke County, and the Town of Vinton. Images may include greenways users and activities, wildlife, plant life, natural landscapes, cultural landscapes, weather, architecture/structures, etc.

The 2015 Roanoke Valley Greenways Photo Contest is open through September 15, 2015. Photos taken between October 1, 2014 and September 15, 2015 are eligible for submission. Photo contest entries must be submitted no later than midnight September 15, 2015. Photographers may enter image(s) in the following categories:

1) Greenway Use/Activities; and 2) Wildlife/Nature/Scenery/Landscape.

Images will be judged on originality, composition, overall impact, artistic merit, and technical excellence. Prizes will be awarded to the winning images in each of the two photo contest categories for place winners 1, 2, 3 and honorable mentions as follows:

1st Place - $100.00 2nd Place - $50.00 3rd Place - $25.00 Honorable Mention - No cash prize, recognition only

Photo Contest winners will be announced at the annual Roanoke Valley Greenway Commission Picnic scheduled for October 2015 and winning photos will be featured on the Roanoke Valley Greenways website, social media, and promotional materials. Visit the Roanoke Valley Greenways website foradditional information on the Photo Contest and to view winning photos from 2013 and 2014.

It's Time for Spring Cleaning

It's that time of year again, the weather is warming up, and it's time to start your spring cleaning routines. However, if you are getting rid of things that are needlessly filling up your home, there are many options available to property owners:

Recycle it: Roanoke County currently offers several recycling drop off locations in addition to the Tinker Creek Transfer Station. The Roanoke County General Services webpage includes information regarding recycling locations and materials that are accepted.

Sell it and Donate it: Garage sales or consignment shops are an option. Roanoke County allows garage or yard sales provided that such sales occur no more than two days in a two month period. Please call Roanoke County Planning and Zoning at 540- 772-2068 for more information.

Dispose of it: If you choose to dispose of materials or household items, please refer to the Roanoke County General Services Bulk and Brush Collection webpage.

You may also call General Services at 540-387-6225 for further information.

RIDE Solutions Launches Annual Clean Commute Challenge

In 2014, RIDE Solutions broke records with its annual Clean Commute Challenge, removing over 70,000 miles from the region's roads as people across central and southwest Virginia were encouraged to carpool, bike, walk, take transit, or telework instead of driving alone.

This year, RIDE Solutions is hoping to continue the trend, with higher goals and new ways for people to participate.

Each year, RIDE Solutions, the region's popular commuter service program, challenges area commuters to take the Clean Commute Pledge, a way to explore their commute options at least one day during the month. Commuters can take the pledge online.

To make the challenge more exciting, RIDE Solutions has opened it up to trips that aren't exclusively work-related. "While commute trips have a huge impact, we know that most trips a household takes are not related to the daily commute," says Program Director Jeremy Holmes. "We want people to try carpooling, biking, walking and transit for all kinds of trips - whether it's carpooling to lunch with coworkers, riding a bike to see a movie, or walking to the store instead of driving."

In addition to taking the pledge, participants can get more involved by logging their clean trips throughout the month. Each trip logged gives participants an entry into weekly prize drawings. Finally, participants can start or join an existing Clean Commute Team, counting each logged trip towards their team performance and earning bigger and better prizes. Team performance and miles logged will be tracked at the Clean Commute Challenge leaderboard.

"Using a clean commute option, even one day a week, has immediate benefits for both commuters and our communities," says Holmes. "It's a simple way to enjoy the region's many outdoor amenities, make our communities stronger and cleaner, and actually have fun getting to work."

The Clean Commute Challenge is one of a number of events organized by RIDE Solutions to celebrate Bike Month. A full calendar of events can be found online.

RIDE Solutions is a service of the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission, the New River Valley Planning District Commission and Region 2000.

Have another great month!

Megan Cronise, AICP Principal Planner Community Developments

Upcoming Meetings Planning Commission Summer is almost here and school is ending this week. Take a June 16 @ 6 p.m. look at some of the great activities going on this month in our June July 7 @ 4 p.m.* edition of Community Developments! July 21 @ 6 p.m.

Board of Supervisors June 9 @ 3 p.m. Planning Commission Update June 23 @ 3 p.m.* July 14 @ 3 p.m. July 28 @ 3 p.m.* May 5th

Two applications were submitted for this meeting: *Indicates a meeting with public 1. The petition of PEG Bandwidth to amend a Special Use Permit hearings beginning at 7 p.m. condition to allow for the addition of a microwave antenna to an existing broadcasting tower in a AG-1S, Agricultural/Rural Low Density, District with Special Use Permit and AV, Agricultural/Village Like Roanoke County Center, District on approximately 35.85 acres, located at 6334 Planning Services on Franklin Road, Cave Spring Magisterial District. Facebook for updates on The Planning Commission recommended approval and the Board of community meetings, Supervisors approved this application at its May 26th meeting. development projects, traffic notices and more! 2. The petition of The Branch Family LLC to obtain a special use permit for equipment sales and rentals in a C-2C, High Intensity Commercial, District, with conditions on an approximately 1.516 acre lot, located near 5130 Peters Creek Road, Catawba Magisterial District. The Planning Commission recommended approval and the Board of Supervisors approved this application at its May 26th meeting.

May 19th The Planning Commission received updates on the Plantation Road Bicycle, Pedestrian and Streetscape Improvements and Brambleton Avenue Business Association activities. Possible Zoning Ordinance amendments were also discussed.

June 2nd One application was submitted for this meeting: 1. The petition of Carl and Carol Slate to obtain a special use permit for a private stable in a R-1, Low Density Residential, District, on approximately 2.012 acres, located at 7904 Carvin Street, Hollins Magisterial District. The Planning Commission recommended approval of this application.

June 16th The agenda for this meeting has not been set.

July 7th One application has been submitted for this meeting: 1. The petition of Bergmann Associates, D.P.C, Inc. to obtain a special use permit for a convenience store and to amend existing special use permit conditions in the CVOD, Clearbrook Village Overlay District, on approximately 29.965 acres, located at the Clearbrook Walmart, 5350 Clearbrook Village Lane, Cave Spring Magisterial District.

June 13th - Artisan Saturday at Explore Park

Saturday, June 13th, from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Roanoke County's Explore Park will host Artisan Saturday, the first of 3 such events this season. Located on the Blue Ridge Parkway, at mile post 115, the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center and Gift Shop will have live music, clogging and local artisans on hand to demonstrate a number of uniquely different crafts. Turning gourds into art, crocheting jewelry, and handcrafting dulcimers are just a few of the demonstrations that will be showcased during this Artisan Saturday in June. Artisans from Southwest Virginia whose work reflects both creativity and quality craftsmanship will be available for questions during the demonstrations. Additionally, their original pieces of work will be for sale.

The Blue Ridge Mountain Cloggers will be on hand for performances and lessons from 12:00PM- 2:00PM. An educational and fun craft activity for children will be available along with the amenities that the park has to offer. Make a whole day of it and take advantage of Explore Park's hiking and biking trails and view the historical buildings while out exploring the park. Bring the fishing gear and fishing Click for larger PDF license to spend an hour or two on the Roanoke River or visit the museum located in the Visitor Center. Explore Park's Visitor Center Gift Shop, newly redesigned and expanded, is open from 9:00AM to 5:00PM for all refreshment needs. Also, the gift shop is home to a variety of local artisan wares that are available for purchase along with Explore Park memorabilia, T-Shirts and fun items for the children.

Two more Artisan Saturdays are planned for the 2nd Saturday in August and October and will also include book signings, live music, fresh baked goods, and informative presentations.

For more information please call the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center - 540.427.1800 or visit Explore Park on the web. June 26th and 27th - Star City Motor Madness

Star City Motor Madness is a celebration of America's passion for the automobile and the love of cruising. The event enters its 14th year in 2015 and is held annually on the last Friday and Saturday in June.

The Cruise-In will be held on Friday, June 26th, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Williamson Road. The Car and Truck Show will be held on Saturday, June 27th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Downtown Roanoke.

See the Star City Motor Madness webpage for additional information.

Pipeline Advisory Committee Update

In March, the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors appointed a Pipeline Advisory Committee to provide an opportunity for key stakeholders to assist both the Board in its review of the potential benefits of the pipeline as well as potential impacts to citizens, businesses and natural resources within the County. The Committee has held several meetings to date. At its June 1st meeting, the Committee discussed the presentation and recommendations for the June 9th Board of Supervisors meeting. The next scheduled meeting of the Pipeline Advisory Committee is July 6th at 12:00 p.m. (noon) at the South County Library Auditorium, 6303 Merriman Road.

Mountain Valley Pipeline EIS Scoping Process Deadline Approaching

Brambleton Area Business Association Update

The Brambleton Area Business Association met on May 14th at the Brambleton Center. Recent activities include:

Adoption of Bylaws; Filing of Articles of Incorporation; Formation of a Nominating Committee to nominate officers; Designation of Block Captains to facilitate outreach; Creation of a public Facebook page, Brambleton Area Business Association; and Receiving updates from County and City Police and Economic Development staff.

The next meeting will take place on June 11th at 9:00 a.m. at the Brambleton Center.

Welcome to Karen Oliver!

Karen Oliver has worked for Roanoke County since 2006. She spent six years with the Libraries part time, and just recently finished a two and a half year stint in the Commissioner of the Revenue's office. She is excited to begin this new position as Permit Technician and she really appreciates the opportunity to meet new folks and to learn more about Roanoke County. Karen has a new found respect for the Second Floor!

Karen is a Roanoke native and Virginia Tech graduate (Go Hokies!). She has been married for 27 years to Chris, an industrial sales representative (hydraulics and pneumatics). They have two daughters, both at home. Jessica is 24, a graduate of Mary Washington, and works in ecommerce for Finks Jewelers. Emily is 18 years old, just graduated from home school and works part time at Viva la Cupcake on Grandin Rd. The Olivers have a golden retriever and two cats.

There's No Such Thing as the Poop Fairy!

Roanoke County partnered with RVTV, Town of Vinton, and City of Roanoke to develop a new Public Service Announcement (PSA) to encourage dog owners to "scoop the poop." You may view it on the County's webpage.

In addition to the webpage, a poster was sent to all local veterinary and dog grooming/boarding facilities as a means to encourage owners to "doo" the right thing.

Click for larger PDF

Roanoke County Park Partners Program

Have you ever wondered who helps maintain the beautiful parks, greenways, and trails in Roanoke County? Park Partners agree to adopt a park, greenway, or trail for a minimum of two years and perform beautification activities a minimum of four times per year to remain in good standing with the program. Roanoke County will provide materials, volunteer t-shirts, free picnic shelter rentals, and sponsor a sign in the park recognizing you or your organization.

Maintenance efforts will be tailored to your adopted area and may include:

Litter Pick-up Landscaping projects (i.e., planting, weeding, mulching, and pruning) Playground maintenance Painting and Staining Small-scale construction projects (i.e., building kiosks, benches, or shelters)

The Parks Partners Program application is available online. For more information about the program, please contact your Park Partners Program Volunteer Coordinators:

Shawn Sorrells, CPRP, CPSI Park Operations Specialist (540) 777-6348 Email

Lindsay Blankenship Greenway Planner (540) 777-6328 Email

Once your application is reviewed, you will be contacted by a Volunteer Coordinator who will customize a program that meets your needs. Our staff will assist you in determining which park, greenway, or trail will benefit most from your efforts and be more convenient to you and your volunteers.

What Kinds of Signs are Prohibited?

Do you have a new business in Roanoke County? Do you have an existing business and would you like to expand your advertising? Please be aware of several types of popular signs that are prohibited in Roanoke County. Examples of these signs include:

Signs displayed on a stationary vehicle that is oriented to be used as a sign; Sail Fin signs; Stick-In-Ground or Step Stake signs in the public Right-of- Way; and Portable signs

Refer to the Roanoke County Zoning Ordinance, Section 30-93-4, for further details or contact a Code Enforcement Officer at (540) 772-2065 with any questions.

Want to Cut Miles and Save Gas? Look to Non-Commute Trips, Too!

Drivers who are looking to save money on their transportation expenses generally look to trim their commute trips. This can be the easiest trip to cut, since it's the most regular and predictable trip, but unless you have access to good transportation options you must be stuck making that daily drive no matter your intentions. Particularly for commuters who drive in from rural or suburban neighborhoods into jobs in more dense areas, getting on a bike, riding a bus, or even finding a carpool partner just isn't an option.

However, that daily commute trips isn't a way you can cut miles. RIDE Solutions recently hosted its annual Clean Commute Challenge, and for the first time the contest allowed participants to log trips that were not commute related . Clean commuters logged bike trips to the store, carpooling to dinner, teleworking to business meeting via phone conference, and taking the bus to the movies. In fact, 39% of all trips logged during the Clean Commute Challenge were non-work related trips!

Indeed, while our work commutes are sometimes our longest trips, most of the trips a household takes are actually not work related. So, if you feel like getting to work has you stuck in the driver's seat, think about the other trips you and your family make. Maybe instead of driving to the grocery store for one big trip, you can bike to a closer, corner store or neighborhood store a few times a week for basics. Or, use a park and ride to plan a weekend outing with the family by taking the Smart Way bus for lunch in Blacksburg, or Valley Metro to one of the Roanoke Valley's many trails and greenways.

Looking for creative ways to cut your transportation costs? Visit RIDE Solutions for information on local transit, safe bike routes, carpool matching and more. And if you want to see how people got around during the Clean Commute Challenge, visit the Leaderboard webpage for all the info.

Have a great month!

Megan Cronise, AICP Principal Planner Community Developments

Upcoming Meetings Planning Commission Enjoy this month's edition of Community Developments! Canceled: July 7 @ 4 p.m.* July 21 @ 6 p.m. August 4 # 4 p.m.* August 18 @ 6 p.m. Planning Commission Update Board of Supervisors June 2nd July 14 @ 3 p.m. One application was submitted for this meeting: July 28 @ 3 p.m.* August 11 @ 3 p.m. 1. The petition of Carl and Carol Slate to obtain a special use August 25 @ 3 p.m.* permit for a private stable in a R-1, Low Density Residential, District, on approximately 2.012 acres, located at 7904 Carvin *Indicates a meeting with public Street, Hollins Magisterial District. The Planning Commission hearings beginning at 7 p.m. recommended and the Board of Supervisors approved this request at its June 23rd meeting. Like Roanoke County June 16th Planning Services on The Planning Commission discussed the Attorney General's opinion Facebook for updates on on Regulatory Fracking as well as potential Zoning Ordinance community meetings, amendments. development projects, traffic notices and more!

July 7th This meeting has been canceled. One application was submitted for this meeting and withdrawn by the petitioner: 1. The petition of Bergmann Associates, D.P.C, Inc. to obtain a special use permit for a convenience store and to amend existing special use permit conditions in the CVOD, Clearbrook Village Overlay District, on approximately 29.965 acres, located at the Clearbrook Walmart, 5350 Clearbrook Village Lane, Cave Spring Magisterial District.

July 21st The agenda for this meeting has not been set.

August 4th No applications have been submitted for this meeting.

Board of Zoning Appeals Update

On June 17th, the Board of Zoning Appeals met to consider the petition of Sherri Hill to reduce the minimum one-hundred foot setback requirement for outdoor animal runs associated with operation of Commercial Kennel. The applicant proposed operating a kennel at 4240 Old Cave Spring Road. The petitioner requested variances allowing for a fenced area no closer than forty feet adjacent to the northern property line, no closer than five feet adjacent to the to the eastern property line and no closer than five feet adjacent to the southern property line.

After careful deliberation and hearing comments from both the applicant and public, the Board unanimously voted to disallow the variance request, finding the applicant did not establish the required hardship. Section 30-85-18 of the Zoning Ordinance addresses the Use and Design Standards associated with operation of Commercial Kennels.

Brambleton Area Business Association Update

The Brambleton Area Business Association met on June 11th at the Brambleton Center. The following items were discussed at that meeting:

Nomination and election process for the Board of Directors; Block Captains have volunteered to reach out to businesses on the corridor; Growing and utilization of the public Facebook page, Brambleton Area Business Association; and Updates from County Economic Development and Planning staff.

The next meeting will take place on July 9th at 9:00 a.m. at a new location, RunAbout Sports, 4600 Brambleton Avenue.

July 25th - Roanoke County Touch-A-Truck

Town of Vinton Celebrates Tinker Creek Canoe Launch

Canoe Launch Ribbon Cutting

The Town of Vinton held a Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening for the Tinker Creek Canoe Launch on June 24th. Pictured above (left to right) are Councilman Wes Nance, Steve Kesler (DGIF), Joseph Jones (AEP), Supervisor Jason Peters, Jack Cranwell (Eagle Scout Candidate), Mayor Bradley Grose, Town of Vinton Planning Director Anita McMillan, Bud LaRoche, Vice Mayor Matt Hare, Councilman Doug Adams and Town of Vinton Town Manager Christopher Lawrence.

The canoe launch and parking lot improvements were funded by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and Appalachian Power. The improvements were completed by Town of Vinton staff.

The new Tinker Creek boating access located at 801 3rd Street in the Town of Vinton is a component of the proposed Roanoke River Blueway. This project is provision of access for small boats and canoes to the Roanoke River. At this time there are 11 boat launching areas on the Roanoke River upstream from Tinker Creek. These launches are used by canoes and kayaks, as the river is not navigable by powerboats. When you reach Tinker Creek, you enter a 2 1/2 mile stretch of flat water, a small lake backed up behind Niagara Dam. At Niagara Dam there is an official portage on river left which requires a 1/4 mile walk and then re- entry below the Blue Ridge Parkway Bridge. At this point, the best white water on the river begins. From here to Back Creek, the river is undeveloped with an easement on the left and Explore Park on the right.

This project is located on Tinker Creek, approximately .5 mile above the confluence with Roanoke River. Here Tinker Creek is navigable by small watercraft, even though only 2-3 feet deep. This project is needed to provide river access for two kinds of craft and users:

a) small jon boats with oars or electric motors that would access the river for fishing in the lake above Niagara Dam and

b) kayaks and canoes who want to enjoy a 5-6 mile paddle, enjoying both flat water and the best white water in the valley, but who cannot gain access to the river elsewhere and who cannot undertake the 10 mile trip if putting in upstream near Franklin Road.

Additionally, Tinker Creek is also a popular fishing location with a stocked trout reach just upstream from the Tinker Creek access.

Welcome to Joan Ruscitti-Ball!

Joan Ruscitti-Ball is the new Community Development Office Coordinator and Budget Specialist, replacing Audrey Palmer. Joan previously worked for Carilion Clinic as the Department Secretary for the Neurosurgery department. Prior to that she worked for 17 1/2 years for US Airways as a Customer Service Representative and 7 years for two insurance companies. Joan has an Associates Degree in Business Administration from Erie Business School and a Certification in Management/Organizational Leadership from Virginia Western Community College. She has a strong customer service background.

Joan moved to Virginia in 2007 from North West Pennsylvania with her husband Jay (Director for Facilities and Maintenance at the Blacksburg-Roanoke Regional Airport), two of their three children (Keith and Maria) and two cats (Rascal and Petie). Their middle child (Sammi) lives in the Philadelphia, PA area.

Joan is an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan, she loves to garden, ride the Virginia and surrounding country side with her husband on their Goldwing Motorcycle, bike the Greenway and Blue Ridge Parkway, read and enjoy the beautiful weather here in Virginia. She is very appreciative of the shorter cold, snowy (Erie averages 120 inches a season) winters and longer warmer Spring, Summer and Falls. Joan is also an amateur photographer.

Roanoke County encourages citizens to sign up their cell phones and VoIP phones to receive voice and text messages about local emergency alerts and vital information about what to do in an emergency at www.roanokecountyva.gov/rocoalert.

How can Homeowners Reduce Stormwater Pollution?

Motor oil, antifreeze, pet waste, fertilizers, pesticides, detergents, yard debris, litter, sediment, and car wash runoff water have a major impact on the quality of stormwater runoff, which negatively affects downstream receiving waters.

Certain products and practices are necessary to maintain automobiles and homes. That makes it even more important to follow label instructions carefully and to properly dispose of any excess. If you have questions about disposing of car care products, lawn and garden supplies, or hazardous household waste, contact:

Roanoke Valley Resource Authority (RVRA) (540) 857-5820

In addition, there are some simple things you can do around your home to ensure that you do not negatively impact stormwater runoff from your property, such as:

Sweep street gutters and driveways often and place the sweepings on the garden, compost pile, or in the trash. Prevent soil or mulch from being washed or blown off the lawn or garden. Rake up leaves or lawn clippings and use them as mulch on a garden or compost pile. Seed or re-plant areas of disturbed soil. Consider natural alternatives to pest control chemicals. Maintain the car, repair leaks, properly dispose of fluids, and clean up oily spills using cat litter. Use the minimum amount of non-phosphate detergent for car washing. Wash your car on grass or gravel, or take it to a commercial car wash, where the water is recycled.

For more information, view our Stormwater Public Education Videos.

Have another great month!

Megan Cronise, AICP Principal Planner Community Developments

Upcoming Meetings

Planning Commission We hope you are enjoying your summer and are ready for school to August 18 @ 4 p.m.* start! Keep up with our news and events in this month's Community Sept. 1 @ 4 p.m.* Developments! Sept. 15 @ 6 p.m. Board of Supervisors August 11 @ 3 p.m. Planning Commission Update August 25 @ 3 p.m.* Sept. 8 @ 3 p.m. Sept. 22 @ 3 p.m.* July 7th This meeting was canceled. *Indicates a meeting with public hearings beginning at 7 p.m. July 21st The Planning Commission discussed potential Zoning Ordinance amendments. Facebook August 4th Like Roanoke County Planning Services on This meeting was canceled. Facebook for updates on community August 18th meetings, A public hearing will be held on proposed Zoning Ordinance development projects, traffic notices and amendments. The Planning Commission will also discuss a possible more! Comprehensive Plan amendment to identify Designated Growth Areas.

September 1st A public hearing will be held regarding the identification of Designated Growth Areas in the Roanoke County Comprehensive Plan.

August 27th - Roanoke Regional Housing Network Affordable Housing Symposium

Join the members of the Roanoke Regional Housing Network, a committee of the Council of Community Services, for a symposium on Paving the Road to Affordable Housing Success to be held on August 27th at the Holiday Inn Roanoke - Tanglewood.

August 29th - Highland Games at Roanoke County's Green Hill Park

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs190/1101684681078/archive/1121840066835.html[8/11/2015 8:43:43 AM]

September 18th, 19th and 20th - 10th Annual Roanoke Greek Festival

The 10th annual Roanoke Greek Festival will be held on September 18, 19 and 20. The event is hosted by the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and will take place on the church grounds located at 30 Huntington Boulevard rain or shine. Admission is free. A portion of the proceeds will benefit local charities and organizations. For a complete schedule of events please visit our website. Brambleton Area Business Association Update

The July 9th Brambleton Area Business Association (BABA) meeting was held in a new location at RunAbout Sports. Updates include:

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs190/1101684681078/archive/1121840066835.html[8/11/2015 8:43:43 AM] BABA is official as he Articles of Incorporation have been received from the Commonwealth of Virginia; The group is currently in the process of nominating officers and at-large board members; Block Captains are visiting Brambleton-area businesses and distributing informational flyers; Several businesses are participating in a Book Bag Drive to benefit Cave Spring and Green Valley Elementary Schools; and Three Brambleton Avenue ribbon cutting ceremonies were held in June and July for Indika Cafe, The Wellness Center (RunAbout Sports, University Physical Therapy and Crystal's Healing Hands) and Britt 'n Bud's Specialty Subs.

The next meeting will be held on August 13th at 9 a.m. at RunAbout Sports, 4600 Brambleton Avenue.

Click for larger image

Welcome to our new Building Commissioner and Assistant Building Commissioner!

Roanoke County's new Building Commissioner, Morgan Yates, is a familiar face as he has been working for Roanoke County since 2002. Morgan was hired as an Engineering Inspector and became a Combination Code Compliance Inspector in 2003. Since then he has assisted with plan reviews Tammi Wood and Morgan Yates and was certified as a Combination Residential Inspector by the State of Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Morgan was promoted to Building Commissioner in April of 2015 and he is looking forward to assisting the citizens and building community for many years to come.

Our new Assistant Building Commissioner is also a long-time Roanoke County employee. Tammi Wood moved to the Roanoke Valley permanently in 1998 from Pensacola Florida, after she served two

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs190/1101684681078/archive/1121840066835.html[8/11/2015 8:43:43 AM] years and her husband served twenty years in the Army and retired. She worked several years in the private sector in various aspects of building positions including HVAC and plumbing/construction calculations and plan review, then began her career in the Community Development Department in 2000 holding various positions. In May 2013, she accepted the Zoning Administrator position for the City of Roanoke (at which time she was able to meet many new colleagues and obtain a vast amount of knowledge) and then after eight months, returned to Roanoke County Community Development. During the years in the Planning and Zoning divisions, Tammi continued to pursue many aspects of building safety training and certification and in June 2015 accepted the position of Assistant Building Commissioner/ Senior Plans Examiner, a job which includes assisting citizens, plan review and learning new aspects of building plan review and building innovations, which she thoroughly enjoys.

Tammi grew her building knowledge from a young age, assisting her father and grandfather in many renovations and home improvement projects for family and friends alike. Over the years she has worked on designing and renovating kitchens and bathrooms, installing cabinets, installing tile and linoleum, plastering dry wall and various other renovations. Now her projects include smaller scale remodeling and lots of yardwork. The Roanoke County Police Department is Hiring

Click for larger PDF

Farmington Drive Drainage Improvement Project Completed

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs190/1101684681078/archive/1121840066835.html[8/11/2015 8:43:43 AM] Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) contractors have completed drainage improvements to Route 1652, Farmington Drive. Crews replaced two corrugated metal pipes with a dual concrete box culverts. Construction required the roadway to be closed for about 30 days. The pictures below show the installation of the box culverts, and the completed work.

Funds for the project were allocated through the VDOT Revenue Sharing Program, whereby construction costs are shared by VDOT and Roanoke County.

Drainage Improvements Under Construction

Drainage Improvements Completed

Cotton Hill Road Reconstruction Begins

Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) contractors have begun reconstructing a section of Route 688, Cotton Hill Road. The project extends from the intersection of Route 221, Bent Mountain Road, under the Blue Ridge Parkway, to Shingle Ridge Road. The section from Bent Mountain Road to Monet Drive will include 14-foot wide travel lanes to accommodate bicycle traffic, and a sidewalk on the left

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs190/1101684681078/archive/1121840066835.html[8/11/2015 8:43:43 AM] / eastern side of the roadway. From Monet Drive through the Blue Ridge Parkway, the project narrows as it enters the National Park Service property. Lowering a "hump" or vertical curve in the roadway, to the south of Monet Drive, will require closure of that section of road during the summer of 2016.

Crews are currently building a stormwater detention pond, and installing drainage structures on the northern sections of the project.

Funds for the project were allocated through the VDOT Secondary System Six Year Improvement Program. Construction is estimated to be completed in the fall of 2016.

Cotton Hill Road Under Construction

What is Illicit Discharge?

View one one of Roanoke County Stormwater Management's many public education documents to learn more about illicit discharge:

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs190/1101684681078/archive/1121840066835.html[8/11/2015 8:43:43 AM] Click for larger PDF

Did You Know: Garage Sales/Yard Sales

Are you a homeowner interested in having a garage or yard sale? Please be aware of the following information, per Section 30- 88-2 of the Roanoke County Zoning Ordinance: garage or yard sales may occur accessory to residential use types "provided that such sales occur no more than two (2) days in a two-month period." A permit is not required.

Please keep in mind Roanoke County sign regulations prohibit any sign, except in official public notice, which is nailed, tacked, posted, or in any other manner attached to any utility pole, or structure supporting wire, cable, or pipe; or to public property of any description.

Please contact the Planner of the Day at 540-772-2068, extension 221, with any questions. Reading and Riding

Each year, the average American spends over two weeks a year stuck in traffic. That's more time fuming behind the wheel than most folks get in

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs190/1101684681078/archive/1121840066835.html[8/11/2015 8:43:43 AM] vacation! In Roanoke, the average commute is 10 minutes one-way, meaning that the average Roanoke driver spends over 86 hours a year just commuting.

While you may not be able to skip the commute, you may be able to get some of that time back each year by choosing to carpool or using public transit. And what better way to enjoy those extra hours than with a good book?

This summer, RIDE Solutions is encouraging folks throughout the region to get out from behind the wheel and get into a good book with our Reading and Riding program. Whether it's your carpool partner's week to drive and you've got some free time in the passenger seat, or you're riding the Smart Way bus and letting someone else take responsibility for navigating traffic on I-81, we want to encourage you to use that extra time by visiting your local library and checking out a book.

Then, let us know what you're reading! Visit ridesolutions.org/readandride, let us know what's on your summer reading list, and you'll get a chance to win a brand new Kindle Voyage e-reader! You'll also get a collection of Reading and Riding bookmarks with suggested reading lists in a range of categories.

You can also enter by using the hashtag #readandride to post a photo of your current reading material on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Take back the time you spend behind the wheel with RIDE Solutions and your local library.

For more information on how RIDE Solutions can help you take advantage of your transportation options, visit us or call 540-342- 9393.

Have another great month!

Sincerely,

Megan Cronise, AICP Principal Planner

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs190/1101684681078/archive/1121840066835.html[8/11/2015 8:43:43 AM] Community Developments

Upcoming Meetings

Planning Commission Sept. 1 @ 4 p.m.* We have been busy so the year has flown by so far! See what we've Sept. 15 @ 6 p.m. been working on in this month's Community Developments! Oct. 6 @ 4 p.m.* Oct. 20 @ 6 p.m.

Board of Supervisors Planning Commission Update Sept. 8 @ 3 p.m. Sept. 22 @ 3 p.m.* Oct. 13 @ 3 p.m. August 4th Oct. 27 @ 3 p.m.* This meeting was canceled.

*Indicates a meeting August 18th with public hearings beginning at 7 p.m. A public hearing was held on proposed Zoning Ordinance amendments. The proposed amendments include changes to Article II (Definitions and Use Types), Article III (District Regulations), and Facebook Article IV (Use and Design Standards). The proposed amendments would: Like Roanoke County Planning Services on Facebook for updates Amend the definition of personal improvement services; on community Amend the permitted uses and uses allowed by special use meetings, development permit in the R2 (Medium Density Residential), I1 (Low projects, traffic notices Intensity Industrial), and I2 (High Intensity Industrial) zoning and more! districts; and Amend the use and design standards for private stable, accessory apartments, multifamily dwelling, two family dwelling, agricultural services, bed and breakfast, and accessory uses for residential use types (residential chicken keeping).

The Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on the proposed amendments on September 22nd.

The Planning Commission also discussed a possible Comprehensive Plan amendment to identify Designated Growth Areas.

September 1st A public hearing will be held regarding the identification of Designated Growth Areas in the Roanoke County Comprehensive Plan. The Board of Supervisors will hold a work session on the proposed Designated Growth Areas on September 8th, followed by a public hearing on September 22nd.

September 15th The agenda for this meeting has not yet been set.

October 6th A public hearing will be held on the petition of Drew Patterson (Verizon Wireless Agent) to obtain a Special Use Permit for a broadcasting tower (cell tower) approximately 199 feet in height in a I1, Low Intensity Industrial, District on approximately 64.62 acres, located at 7014 Old Mountain Road, Hollins Magisterial District. Proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment Designated Growth Areas

Click for Larger PDF

House Bill 2 (HB2), signed into law in 2014, provides for new methods and procedures for scoring and funding transportation projects in the Commonwealth of Virginia. According to the Department of Rail and Public Transportation's HB2 webpage, through the new process, "Candidate projects will be screened to determine if they qualify to be scored. Projects will be scored based on an objective and fair analysis applied statewide. The law will improve transparency and accountability. The public will know how projects scored and the decisions behind the Commonwealth Transportation Board's project selections."

In order for projects to be eligible to be considered within HB2, initial screening will require the project to serve Corridors of Statewide Significance, Regional Networks or Urban Development Areas/Designated Growth Areas. A State Code reference must be included in the Comprehensive Plan prior to October 1, 2015, in order to qualify for the first round of HB2 project screening.

The proposed amendment under review would accomplish the following steps for purposes of HB2 screening: document existing designated growth areas within the currently adopted comprehensive plan, map those areas, and insert the proper state code reference within the document.

The Planning Commission discussed the proposed amendment in a work session on August 18th and is holding a Public Hearing on September 1st. View the Planning Commission public hearing materials including a memo, proposed amendment to Chapter 3, Land Use Issues, of the Comprehensive Plan and a proposed Designated Growth Areas map.

The Board of Supervisors will review the amendment in a work session on September 8th and will hold a Public Hearing on September 22nd.

Contact David Holladay, Planning Administrator, with any questions at (540) 7722068 x 227. Do You Have a Neighborhood Concern in Roanoke County?

If you have a concern about something in your neighborhood, please visit the new Neighborhood Concern submission form (www.roanokecountyva.gov/ZoningApp).

The form is citizen friendly and enables staff to be more efficient in inspecting and responding to concerns.The new submission form allows the user to search for the specific address or location on the Roanoke County GIS maps and enter a detailed zoning code concern, linked directly to that address. In addition, the user may check the status of a previous concern filed, either by address or case number. Please make sure to include your name and contact information for timely followup.

Please see our RVTV Informational Video for further guidance.

Please contact the Planner of the Day at 5407722068, extension 221, with any questions. September 15th Deadline for Roanoke Valley Greenways 2015 Photo Contest The Roanoke Valley Greenway Commission has launched the 3rd annual Roanoke Valley Greenways Photo Contest. Roanoke Valley Greenways is looking for images captured along the greenway corridors and trails comprising the Roanoke Valley Greenway system within the cities of Roanoke and Salem, Roanoke County, and the Town of Vinton. Images may include greenways users and activities, wildlife, plant life, natural landscapes, cultural landscapes, weather, architecture/structures, etc.

1) Greenway Use/Activities; and 2) Wildlife/Nature/Scenery/Landscape.

1st Place $100.00 2nd Place $50.00 3rd Place $25.00 Honorable Mention No cash prize, recognition only

Photo Contest winners will be announced at the annual Roanoke Valley Greenway Commission Picnic scheduled for October 11, 2015, and winning photos will be featured on the Roanoke Valley Greenways website, social media, and promotional materials. Visit the Roanoke Valley Greenways website for additional information on the Photo Contest and to view winning photos from 2013 and 2014. September 17th and 19th Volunteers Needed for the National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project

The Roanoke Valley Transportation Planning Organization (RVTPO), with assistance from the Regional Bicycle Advisory Committee, is participating in the 2015 National Bicycle & Pedestrian Documentation (NBPD) Project. Volunteers are needed to conduct manual counts of bicyclists and pedestrians at locations throughout the RVTPO study area during specified time(s).

Official 2015 NBPD counts will be conducted at each location on one (1) weekday and one (1) weekend day as follows: * Thursday, September 17, 5:00 pm 7:00 pm (rain date if needed: Thursday, September 24, 5:00 pm 7:00 pm)

* Saturday, September 19, 12:00 pm 2:00 pm (rain date if needed: Sunday, September 20,12:00 pm 2:00 pm )

Each count period is 2 hours in duration, plus additional time to set up prior to conducting count (5 minutes or so). Volunteers will receive NBPD Project training and all requisite data collection materials (instructions, data collection sheets, pens, safety vest, etc.) prior to count date(s). Upon completion of the Volunteer Sign Up Form, the count manager will contact you, via email, to confirm your participation and provide training and related information. Volunteer Counters will be assigned a count location once confirmed.

See additional information and the volunteer signup form. September 18th Park(ing) Lot Day

Come check out Roanoke County's first Park(ing) Lot Day celebration! The event will be held at the South County Library from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, September 18, 2015.

The purpose of Park(ing) Lot Day is to rethink how we use space in the County and imagine what it would be like to have a parklike environment instead of a parking lot for a day. Park(ing) Lot Day will have spaces for sitting, eating and playing games designed by elementary students, the County and local businesses. Mill Mountain Zoo will also be at the event with animals and information about the zoo!

Come play outdoor games like Ladder Golf and Cornhole; express your creativity with coloring books for both children and adults; and chalk draw, play twister and rethink your environment! If you are interested in designing a parking space for Park(ing) Lot Day, please contact Naomi Siodmok at (540) 7722068 x267. September 18th, 19th and 20th 10th Annual Roanoke Greek Festival

The August 13th Brambleton Area Business Association (BABA) meeting was held at RunAbout Sports. Updates include:

A Board of Directors has been elected with five Officers and nine AtLarge members; Block Captains are visiting Brambletonarea businesses and distributing informational flyers; and Roanoke City and Roanoke County staff updated the group on business changes on the corridor and business workshops scheduled.

The next meeting will be held on September 10th at 9 a.m. at RunAbout Sports, 4600 Brambleton Avenue. Try Transit Week

Join the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, RIDE Solutions, and The Smart Way Bus in celebrating the seventh statewide Try Transit Week from September 2125, 2015! This is a great time to discover new alternatives to your commute and how to get around while saving time, money and energy.

During Try Transit Week, Roanoke residents a re invited to try out the Smart Way Bus or other alternative transportation options. For County residents who may work in the city, RIDE Solutions will be distributing free passes for Valley Metro at the Roanoke Natural Foods CoOp and PARK Roanoke in downtown.

Plus, everyone who uses a free ride pass will get a chance at winning a $100 Google Play or Apple Store gift card! And if you want to take the next step, take the Try Transit Week pledge, and you will be entered for a chance to win a pair of roundtrip tickets on Amtrak's Northeast Regional line!

Have you had enough of rising gas prices and paying for parking on top of it? When you take public transit, you save money by not stopping at the pump or feeding the meter! You're not only helping your wallet, you will also be helping the environment by reducing energy consumption and pollution.

Haven't considered using transit? Even if you can't catch it from your neighborhood, consider experimenting with using a parkandride. Whether you catch the Smart Way Bus at the exit 140 park and ride in Salem, or park and ride Valley Metro at Tanglewood Mall, you have options for integrating a costeffective, timesaving transportation option into your commute.

Using transit is an easy way to get where you need to go! Instead of sitting in traffic, transit can keep you moving.

Visit www.ridesolutions.org for more information on where to pick up free ride passes and how you can win.

Have another great month!

Sincerely,

Megan Cronise, AICP Principal Planner Community Developments

Upcoming Meetings

Planning Commission Have you had enough rain yet? Updates about postponed events are Oct. 6 @ 4 p.m. included in this month's issue. Oct. 20 @ 6 p.m. Nov. 2 @ 4 p.m.* Nov. 16 @ 6 p.m. Planning Commission Update Board of Supervisors Oct. 13 @ 3 p.m. September 1st Oct. 27 @ 3 p.m.* A public hearing was held regarding the identification of Designated Nov. 10 @ 3 p.m.* Growth Areas in the Roanoke County Comprehensive Plan. The Board of Supervisors held a work session on the proposed *Indicates a meeting with public hearings Designated Growth Areas on September 8th, followed by a public beginning at 7 p.m. hearing on September 22nd and it adopted the proposed amendment at that meeting.

Facebook September 15th Like Roanoke County This meeting was canceled. Planning Services on Facebook for updates October 6th on community meetings, This application was postponed at the request of the petitioner. development projects, A public hearing was postponed regarding the petition of Drew traffic notices and Patterson (Verizon Wireless Agent) to obtain a Special Use Permit for more! a broadcasting tower (cell tower) approximately 199 feet in height in a I-1, Low Intensity Industrial, District on approximately 64.62 acres, located at 7014 Old Mountain Road, Hollins Magisterial District.

The Planning Commission will discuss meeting times, upcoming meetings, Park(ing) Lot Day and potential Zoning Ordinance amendments regarding the Floodplain Overlay District.

October 20th The agenda for this meeting has not been set. October 5th - 11th - Williamson Road Restaurant Week

Restaurants along Williamson Road are getting ready to prepare the best in culinary fare as Restaurant Week returns to Williamson Road October 5 through October 11. The week's festivities begin with gift certificates from participating restaurants being given away on the Q99 & K92 morning shows the week of September 28th - October 2nd!

All are invited to join in celebrating the Williamson Road's restaurant sector to explore the many diverse offerings and flavors available. While eating out, patrons are encouraged to discover the many other types of businesses on Williamson Road they may not have known about.

To see which restaurants are participating, go to www.wraba.org, click on the "Restaurant Week" button and review the participating restaurants and their menus and lunch & dinner specials. Choose the restaurant you wish to visit today, make reservations and go! Maps, driving directions and a picture of the restaurant are on the site for your convenience.

There are new and exciting restaurants that have opened on Williamson Road since our last event proving once again we are truly the melting pot of Roanoke!

Let's celebrate the wonderful dining that is a part of what makes Williamson Road great! October 10th - Explore Park Artisan Saturday

October 12th - Open House for the Former Roland E. Cook School

October 13th - 2015 Aging in Place Symposium

The Aging in Place Symposium is free and consists of two panel discussions with doctors and Aging in Place experts who can talk about the resources available to make staying at home easier. October 17th - Rescheduled Roanoke Zombie 5K

Due to the recent damage to the running trail at Green Hill Park from the storms, the Roanoke Zombie 5K will be postponed until October 17th. This will give our crews enough time to make the trail safe and to insure that a great race is had by everyone...even the Zombies! If you know of anyone who wanted to participate but had a scheduling conflict, please let them know that they have a second chance to run from the Zombies!

For additional information please visit the website at www.roanokezombie5k.com. October 17th - Rescheduled Fall Waterways Cleanup

Join the Clean Valley Council and hundreds of volunteers for the 15th annual Fall Waterways Cleanup! Since 2001, we have helped keep over 250 tons of litter and thousands of tires from washing downstream.

New teams are welcome! After the storms, there will be more storm debris to clean up.

Choose any location, land or water, and CVC will provide the supplies that your group needs to collect litter.When your bags are full and your arms are tired, come celebrate all the hard work at GO Fest!

We envision Explore Park as a destination for exploration - providing a clean, safe, fun and beautiful environment for outdoor recreation. Our goal is to be a source of pride for area residents and a must-see stop along the Blue Ridge Parkway for visitors to our region. Below is more information about the master plan process for Explore Park, currently underway!

Community Meeting Dates

Monday, Oct. 19 - 7:00 PM at Penn Forest Elementary School Tuesday, Oct. 20 - 7:00 PM at Salem Civic Center

Master Plan Survey We want your input about the future of Explore Park! Now through October 31, 2015 we invite any interested community members to complete the brief online survey.

Or, download a paper copy of the survey and return by mail to:

Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism Explore Park Survey 1206 Kessler Mill Rd Salem, VA 24153 Roanoke County Park(ing) Lot Day Thank you to everyone that came out and made Park(ing) Lot Day a success! The event was held at South County Library on September 18, 2015 from 10 AM to 3 PM in the spirit of PARK(ing) Day, which is a worldwide celebration with the purpose of bringing attention to how urban space is utilized. Approximately 200 people attended including 75 students from the Penn Forest Elementary School Third Grade class.

Mill Mountain Zoo attracted both children and adults with their collection of animals. Kids crowded around Play It Again Sports to try their hands at Frisbee golf and practice kicking a football into a net. Visitors of the event experienced recycled art created by Third Grade students from Penn Forest Elementary and received complementary massages from Crystals Healing Hands Massage. Passersby stopped to peruse and pick from a selection of free books and to learn more about Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism programs. Lastly, children got creative in the coloring and chalk drawing section of the event. Thank you also to the Clearbrook Walmart for helping to support the event.

As we move past the celebration of Park(ing) Lot Day, be sure to continue to think about how the automobile has shaped the county and how we, as a community, can improve how we utilize space.

Brambleton Area Business Association Update

The September 10th Brambleton Area Business Association (BABA) meeting was held at RunAbout Sports. Topics included:

Budget discussion Website design BABA member benefits Logo selection

The new Board of Directors met immediately following the regular meeting.

The next meeting will be held on October 8th at 9 a.m. at a new location, Woodlawn United Methodist Church, 2922 Corbieshaw Road, SW. What do I do with all of these leaves?

Roanoke County does not provide vacuum collection for loose leaves. Roanoke County will provide collection of bagged leaves during your normal, every other week, bulk collection. Please place the bags to the curb on your normal collection day.

For more information, or to check the schedule, please contact Roanoke County Solid Waste at (540) 387-6225. National Energy Action Month

"Yabba-dabba-do!"

If you're of a certain age, you'll know this is the trademark line of Fred Flintstone. The Flintstones and their neighbors, you'll recall, live in a prehistoric world powered by dinosaurs - literally. From construction equipment to vacuum cleaners to doorbells, various Jurassic creatures stand in the place of modern technologies, shoveling, squawking, and snorting like the machines we know and love.

While you might think modern life is nothing like a silly cartoon about dysfunctional cavemen, the fact is our world is still mostly run on dinosaurs. Most of our energy comes in the form of coal and oil, the result of millions of years of heat and pressure applied to all the organic mass of the age of the great lizards. This is particularly true for transportation. The Rocky Mountain Institute calculates that 73% of all oil usage in the United States is dedicated to transportation, or 13 million barrels of oil a day.

We may not be getting to work on a triceratops, but our cars are powered by what's left of them.

October is Energy Action Month, an opportunity for citizens to think about the sources and impacts of their energy choices and to take small measures to reduce their energy consumption. So, before you drive that dinosaur-powered sedan to work, consider some of these options:

Cut your energy consumption and reclaim time in your day by taking transit or carpooling. You'll not only burn less oil, but by letting someone else do the driving you can take time to relax, read a book, listen to music, or catch up on the news. Reconsider the short drive to the store for that one missing item. Often, shopping trips are easily within biking or even walking distance, meaning you can save energy and burn calories at the same time. Don't underestimate the power of planning. Organize your shopping, commute, and errand trips as much as possible to trip-chain. Take miles off your day, car, and gas bill by combining multiple trips into one. Dead dinosaurs can get expensive. Shaving miles off your drive not only saves you money at the pump, it can also save money on vehicle maintenance and prolong the life of your car. You might even qualify for reduced auto insurance rates, particularly if you are driving less than 7,500 miles a year.

This Energy Action Month, be less like the Flintstones and more like the Jetsons. Leave your dino-powered car in the driveway a few days and consider your transportation alternatives.

Get started by visiting ridesolutions.org or calling 1-866-424-3334 to learn what your carpool, walk, bike, transit, and telework options might be.

Have a dry month!

Sincerely,

Megan Cronise, AICP Principal Planner Community Developments

We hope you are enjoying cooler weather and changing leaves! This month's edition includes new intiatives, several exciting events and updates regarding ongoing projects.

Upcoming Meetings Planning Commission Update Planning Commission Nov. 16 @ 6 p.m. October 6th Dec. 1 @ 4 p.m.* This application was postponed at the request of the petitioner. Dec. 15 @ 6 p.m. A public hearing was postponed regarding the petition of Drew Patterson (Verizon Wireless Agent) to obtain a Special Use Permit for a broadcasting tower Board of Supervisors (cell tower) approximately 199 feet in height in a I-1, Low Intensity Industrial, Nov. 10 @ 3 p.m.* District on approximately 64.62 acres, located at 7014 Old Mountain Road, Dec. 8 @ 3 p.m.* Hollins Magisterial District.

*Indicates a meeting with The Planning Commission discussed meeting times, upcoming meetings, public hearings Park(ing) Lot Day and potential Zoning Ordinance amendments regarding the beginning at 7 p.m. Floodplain Overlay District.

Facebook October 20th The Planning Commission discussed food trucks and relevant Roanoke County Like Roanoke County regulations. Planning Staff also gave a presentation regarding transportation Planning Services programs and projects submitted for transportation funding. on Facebook for updates on community meetings, November 2nd development projects, This meeting has been canceled. traffic notices and more! November 16th The Planning Commission will bid Paul Mahoney, County Attorney,farewell in advance of his retirement from Roanoke County on December 1st.

December 1st A public hearing will be held on the petition of State Central Bank to remove a proffered condition and to amend the Planning and Design documents for Loblolly Mill by modifying the site design guidelines and architectural requirements. The Loblolly Mill Planned Residential Development is located on Sterling Road and is approximately 104.4 acres in size, Vinton Magisterial District. Roanoke County Uses Phone Survey to Begin Community Strategic Planning Process On September 16, the Board of Supervisors and County staff met, and ultimately agreed, to move forward with the process of developing Roanoke County's first Community Strategic Plan.

Telephone Survey The first step of this community strategic planning process is to complete a community-wide survey. Roanoke County has recently contracted with the Roanoke College Institute for Policy and Opinion Research to perform a random telephone survey which will begin in mid-November. The survey questions will include what Roanoke County citizens think are the most important strategic issues facing the County over the next five years, as well as rating the importance and quality of public services the County currently offers.

Roanoke County citizens who receive the calls from Roanoke College are encouraged to invest a few minutes in the County's future by providing feedback. The interview will take approximately 15 to 20 minutes. The results of the survey will be used as baseline information to help the participants in the strategic planning process to understand community-wide ideas and concerns for the future direction of the County.

Focus Groups Over the next several months the community strategic planning process will engage many community members to form a five-year vision for Roanoke County, to include broad goals and objectives for how to achieve the desired results. These broad goals and objectives will then be used by County departments to form their work plans for the next several years. Look for information in the next few months about how County citizens can participate in upcoming strategic plan focus groups that will work collaboratively with Board of Supervisors members and County staff to help shape the Community Strategic Plan.

Additional Information For more information on the upcoming telephone survey or on the community strategic planning process please contact Dan O'Donnell, Assistant County Administrator, at (540) 772-2017.

November 5th - Roanoke Valley Transit Vision Plan Public Open House Workshop Click for Additional Information

November 12th - Roanoke County Wellbeing Fair Click for Additional Information

November 18th - Vinton Branch Library Dedication

November 18th - House Bill 2 Transportation Project Prioritization Public Meeting

The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) will hold nine public meetings across the commonwealth in November on prioritizing transportation projects.

The public is invited to get the latest information, ask questions and provide input on transportation projects. This year's meetings will consist of an open house format where attendees can review and provide feedback on the list of proposed local and regional projects that localities submitted to be scored under a new prioritization process as legislated by House Bill 2.

Following the open house, a town hall style format will be provided where the public and transportation stakeholders can engage in discussion and ask questions about the projects. There will be no formal public comment during the meetings.

Signed into law by Governor Terry McAuliffe, House Bill 2 is a consistent and data-driven "prioritization" process to score projects according to critical transportation needs. The meetings will highlight the 321 applications for projects submitted by 131 local and regional governments across the state. The applications request $6.95 billion in funding under House Bill 2.

Roanoke Valley HB2 Projects - Click for Webpage with Original Map

Following public meetings, the projects will be scored through the end of December. Once projects are scored and reviewed by the public, the CTB will then select which projects to fund and be included in the next Six-Year Improvement Program by June of 2016.

The Roanoke meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 18th from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Valley View, 3315 Ordway Drive, NW, Roanoke, VA 24017. View information on other meetings from VDOT.

If you are unable to attend a meeting, you may view the displays and provide your comments on line. You can also mail comments on rail, public transportation and transportation demand management to Public Information Officer, DRPT, 600 E. Main St., Suite 2102, Richmond, Virginia 23219, or [email protected] and on highway projects to Infrastructure Investment Director, VDOT, 1401 E. Broad St., Richmond, Virginia 23219, or Six- [email protected].

Comments will be accepted until December 11, 2015.

December 3rd - Vinton Christmas/Holiday Parade

Save the Date for the Vinton Christmas/Holiday Parade in Downtown Vinton at 7 p.m.! Mountain Valley Pipeline Update

On October 23, 2015, Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) made its formal filing with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Formal project filing is an important step in the federal regulatory process as it initiates the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review for the project. NEPA review is the federal process through which environmental impacts are considered. After the NEPA process is completed, the FERC will issue its findings or orders.

What does project filing mean for Roanoke County:

MVP has selected its preferred route There are no longer "alternates" just a single proposed route The clock starts for Roanoke County to make certain decision such as becoming an intervenor Many important questions still unanswered

What project filing does not mean for Roanoke County:

Filing does not mean that the project has been approved by the FERC Filing does not mean that eminent domain has been approved Filing does not fix the route. Environmental issues later in the process may require adjustments in the route. Filing does not mean that the project will be built Filing does not end the public involvement process

The MVP filing with the FERC is many thousands of pages long and it will take time for county staff and citizens to review the document. The County's Pipeline Advisory Committee will meet on November 9th at 12:00 p.m. at the South County Library to discuss the filing and other project issues. The public is welcome to attend.

For additional information, view Roanoke County's Mountain Valley Pipeline Information webpage. Mountain Valley Pipeline Preferred Route

Roanoke County and Roanoke City Launch Phase 2 for Litter Campaigns

The County of Roanoke and the City of Roanoke announced plans for the continuance of their campaigns against litter at a press conference on October 29th. Public officials including Richard Caywood, Assistant County Administrator; Anita Price, Roanoke City Council Member; and Charlotte Moore, Roanoke County Supervisor spoke at the event. The campaigns are designed to shape citizen behavior in keeping our communities free of litter.

Launched in 2014, Roanoke County's initial campaign included temporary right- of-way signs and banners, vehicle magnets and stickers, and extensive billboard advertising. Future plans include adding permanent signage within the VDOT right-of-way to increase public visibility. Also, they will work with the business community to add parking lot signage, and communicate the anti-litter message using car window stickers, program cards for businesses to distribute, and window decals. No Litter Sign in VDOT Right-of-Way on Electric Road

"We made great progress in raising awareness of the issue of discarded cigarette butts," said County Supervisor Charlotte Moore. "Our hope is to build on that success and, in this next phase of the campaign, open everyone's eyes to the larger problem of litter in both the County and the Roanoke Valley."

The City of Roanoke enacted a Clean and Green Campaign in 2006 to reduce its carbon footprint and inspire community ownership for keeping the city clean and beautiful. Its emphasis on litter prevention is a component of that initiative. In support of Roanoke County's campaign, the city has enhanced its ongoing efforts against littering through the placement of signs with creative slogans such as "No Ifs, Ands, or Butts: Don't Litter." Most recently, the city added a mobile anti-litter advertisement: a vehicle wrapped with the campaign slogan "Don't Throw Your Smokes in the Noke." The campaign will also include signs and billboards with the slogan.

"Cigarette butts present a particular hazard to our stormwater system," said City Council Member Anita Price. "Keep America Beautiful reports that 32 percent of litter at storm drains is from tobacco products. We hope to get the attention of the community with a light-hearted touch. We believe that with a reminder people will think twice before throwing a cigarette out on the road or anywhere else." Welcome to Tori Williams and Kyle Nixon!

In October, Tori Williams accepted the position of Planner II, focusing on long- range planning in the Community Development Department. Prior to joining Roanoke County, Williams was the Vice President of Public Policy at the Roanoke Regional Chamber for 7 ½ years. He also served as Legislative Aide to then Majority Leader H. Morgan Griffith in the Virginia House of Delegates from 2005-2007. Williams looks forward to creating further opportunities for community engagement on issues impacting the Roanoke region.

Williams is a Roanoke native and holds graduate degrees in political science and Tori Williams public administration. His better half, Jacinda, works as a kindergarten teacher at Community School. They have two children, Evalyn and Rowan, and reside in the Hollins Area of Roanoke County. Williams enjoys hiking, listening to music, sports, and creatively evading manual labor around the house.

Kyle Nixon is the new Development Data Specialist working with Cindy Linkenhoker on the Stormwater Management Program within the Community Development Department. Nixon lived in Northern Virginia and worked in DC for the last year and a half at an environmental and engineering consulting firm. Before that, Kyle worked at Virginia Tech and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geography from Radford University.

Nixon attended Salem High School, graduating in 2004, and is thankful to be Kyle Nixon moving back to the Roanoke Valley. He looks forward to getting back into outdoor activities that are abundant in the area and to getting married next September. His fiancé is currently still teaching in Alexandria and plans to move down once her school year is over. Living near the Potomac River, he became somewhat of an amateur in a kayak and on stand-up paddle boards and he looks forward to getting out on the Lake. Explore Park Master Plan Community Meetings: Top Ten Public Comments

During the first round of public input, consultants and staff spoke with approximately 230 meeting attendees including both citizens and interested stakeholders. The categories below demonstrate the top 10 most frequently recorded comments from these meetings - ranked in order of popularity. Click for Larger PDF

Brambleton Area Business Association Update

The Brambleton Area Business Association (BABA) is now meeting at Woodlawn United Methodist Church, 2922 Corbieshaw Road, SW, in the City of Roanoke. At the last meeting on October 8th, attendees discussed creating a website for the organization, an upcoming BABA article in The Roanoke Times, attending a Williamson Road Area Business Association meeting to see how its meetings are run, a possible Silent Auction fundraiser, 2016 membership dues and updates from localities including many grand openings and ribbon cuttings.

The next BABA meeting will be held on Thursday, November 12th, at 9 a.m. at Woodlawn United Methodist Church, 2922 Corbieshaw Road, SW. Roland E. Cook School Update

The Roland E. Cook School is proposed to be rezoned from R- 2 Residential District to Mixed Use Development (MUD) District to convert the vacant school building to 21 residential apartments. The Town of Vinton Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on this request on November 5th and the Town Council will hold a public hearing Roland E. Cook School on November 17th. See the Planning Commission Agenda for additional information. New Residential Chicken Keeping Regulations

The Roanoke County Code has been amended regarding residential chicken keeping! Residents in non-agricultural areas may keep up to twelve chickens (no roosters) as an accessory use to a single-family dwelling on their property. The maximum number of chickens that may be kept is dependent on the lot size:

Lot Size Maximum Number of Female Chickens (Hens) 20,000 square feet or less 6 20,001 square feet to 1.0 acre 9 Greater than 1.0 acre 12

If you are interested in keeping chickens:

1. Comply with Roanoke County Code regulations; and 2. Apply for a Zoning Permit on the Second Floor of the Roanoke County Administration Center at 5204 Bernard Drive.

Help Protect our Waterways Have you thought about Carpool Matching?

Innovative apps like Uber and Lyft have changed the way people find - and pay - for transportation. But you need a smartphone to share a ride, and even make a few bucks doing it.

Old fashioned carpooling is still a popular option - in fact, census data shows that 10% of commuters in the Roanoke Valley carpool back and forth to work every day. Sharing a ride is an easy way to split transportation costs, and switching driving duties from week to week not only cuts your fuel costs, it keeps miles off your car and extends the life of your vehicle.

Even if you don't want to get out from behind the wheel, though, you can start your carpool as a driver only, opening empty seats to folks who are tired of being struck in traffic or are looking for more reliable transportation. And though you may not be taking payments for the rides with PayPal, you can still make a few bucks by sharing the cost of gas across all your riders. How much? RIDE Solutions has provided some sample per-seat cost-sharing rates so you can see what carpooling can earn for you.

To explore your smart commute options, register at www.ridesolutions.org for a free match list. You'll be able to see how many other commuters in their database match your route and schedule, and have an opportunity to coordinate the carpool that best fits your need. It's all free, no obligation, and backed up by their Guaranteed Ride Home program. Go online or call 1-866-424-3334 to learn more.

Have a great month!

Sincerely, Megan Cronise, AICP Principal Planner

Community Developments

In addition to December celebrations, we already have plans for January! Keep up-to-date with this month's Community Developments newsletter.

Upcoming Meetings Planning Commission Update Planning Commission Dec. 15 @ 6 p.m. November 2nd Jan. 5 @ 4 p.m.* This meeting was canceled. Jan. 19 @ 6 p.m. November 16th Board of Supervisors The Planning Commission presented a Resolution of Appreciation to Paul Dec. 8 @ 3 p.m.* Mahoney, County Attorney, in advance of his retirement from Roanoke County on Jan. 12 @ 3 p.m. December 1st. The Commission also viewed a demonstration of the Jan. 26 @ 3 p.m.* Neighborhood Concern Application and a presentation on the Roanoke Valley Transit Vision Plan. *Indicates a meeting with public hearings December 1st beginning at 7 p.m. This meeting was canceled.

Facebook December 15th The Commission will review the status of Roanoke County Greenway projects and Like Roanoke County the Explore Park Master Plan process with Roanoke County Parks, Recreation Planning Services and Tourism Staff. on Facebook for updates on community meetings, January 5th development projects, Two public hearings are scheduled: traffic notices and more! 1. The petition of Drew Patterson (Verizon Wireless Agent) to obtain a Special Use Permit for a broadcasting tower (cell tower) approximately 150 feet in height in an I-1, Low Intensity Industrial, District on approximately 64.62 acres, located at 7014 Old Mountain Road, Hollins Magisterial District. A Community Meeting will be held on December 9th regarding this application. See additional information below.

2. The petition of State Central Bank to remove a proffered condition and to amend the Planning and Design documents for Loblolly Mill by modifying the site design guidelines and architectural requirements. The Loblolly Mill Planned Residential Development is located on Sterling Road and is approximately 104.4 acres in size, Vinton Magisterial District. December 7th - Roanoke County Christmas Tree Lighting Click for PDF

December 9th - Community Meeting for Old Mountain Road Broadcasting Tower Special Use Permit Request

A Community Meeting will be held to review a Special Use Permit request submitted by Drew Patterson - Agent with Verizon Wireless, for a broadcasting tower (cell tower) proposed for 7014 Old Mountain Road in the Hollins Magisterial District.

Date: Wednesday, December 9th, 2015 Place: 5235 Hollins Road - Roanoke County Fleet Service Center

Time: Open House Format, 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

No formal presentation will be given, however maps and other exhibits will be on display with the opportunity to ask questions of the applicant and Roanoke County staff. Feel free to come anytime between the above listed hours.

View the Community Meeting Notice for additional information. Mountain Valley Pipeline Update

On October 23, 2015, Mountain Valley Pipeline LLC (MVP) made its formal filing with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) seeking a certificate of public convenience and necessity to operate and construct the Mountain Valley Pipeline Project which included 8.3 miles of pipeline within Roanoke County. On November 5, 2015, the FERC issued its "Notice of Applications" for the MVP project. This notice established November 27, 2015 as the date for comment which also served as Roanoke County's deadline to file as in intervenor. In a FERC proceeding, an Intervenor is a legal status designated by the FERC after a timely request that allows the Intervenor to request a rehearing of FERC decisions and / or seek relief in Federal Court. An Intervenor has legal rights to challenge FERC decision making both administratively and in courts that a non- Intervenor does not have. Due to these rights, an Intervenor may also have the ability to participate in negotiations and / or mediation that a non-Intervenor would not be able to access.

On November 10, 2015 the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors, on the recommendation of the Roanoke County Pipeline Advisory Committee and County Staff, authorized County Staff to file as an Intervenor with the FERC on behalf of Roanoke County. On November 24, 2015 Roanoke County made its Motion to Intervene with the FERC. The Board of Supervisors also authorized the expenditure of $15,000 of Board Contingency funds to pay for legal fees associated with the filing. Roanoke County has engaged the services of the Water and Power Law Group PC to provide legal guidance with the FERC process.

It is important to note that Intervenors are parties that have a specific interest in the outcome of a FERC decision. Intervenors are not necessarily for or against a project. There are a number of specific issues related to the project that directly Roanoke County and its citizens that can be best represented by the County. These include, but are not limited to: water quality concerns and the County's MS-4 permit, the type of environmental assessment proposed by FERC and its ability to adequately address environmental impacts, the status of the 4th compressor station that was originally proposed for Roanoke County, and how the facility would be abandoned after its useful life if it is constructed.

The next step in this process is the FERC considering and presumably granting Roanoke County status as an Intervenor. We anticipate that this will occur by the end of the year.

For additional information, view Roanoke County's Mountain Valley Pipeline Information webpage. Roanoke County Food Truck Regulation Changes

On November 10, 2015, the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to reduce the business license tax for food trucks and other businesses classified as peddlers and itinerant merchants. The business license tax has been reduced from $500.00 per year for every established location to $50.00 per year without a limit on the number of locations. Simply stated, now food trucks will be able to sell anywhere in the county Noke Truck Food Truck with property owner permission for $50.00 per year.

The ordinance is already in effect and food trucks are invited to come to the Roanoke County Administration Center at 5204 Bernard Drive to apply for a business license with the Commissioner of the Revenue. To receive a business license, the proper permit/license from the Health Department will need to be submitted. If the food truck business is based in Roanoke County, additional zoning requirements may apply. Welcome to Rhonda Prillaman!

Rhonda Prillaman joined the Community Development Team in mid-November as a Combination Code Compliance Inspector. Working with Matt Cooper, her primary focus is Erosion & Sediment Control and Stormwater Management inspections. Rhonda graduated (with honors) from Virginia Tech in 2012, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Resource Management. She volunteered with USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service before going to work full-time for the Virginia Department of Forestry as a Forest Technician. Prior to joining the Roanoke County team, Rhonda served as the VSMP Program Administrator for Rockbridge County. Matt Cooper and Rhonda Prillaman

Rhonda is a Roanoke native and loves the outdoors. She enjoys cycling, yoga and is an avid trail runner/hiker. She loves to hit the trail with her lab/hound fur baby and running partner "Spirit." Brambleton Area Business Association Update

At the last Brambleton Area Business Association (BABA) meeting on November 12th, the group discussed the creation of a membership application and a website, ScaleUp Roanoke Valley and its benefits for businesses, a BABA Silent Auction to be held on February 11th, donating shoes through RunAbout Sports for the Rescue Mission and locality updates.

The next BABA meeting will be held on Thursday, December 10th, at 9 a.m. at Woodlawn United Methodist Church, 2922 Corbieshaw Road, SW. Transit Vision Plan Survey The Roanoke Valley Alleghany Regional Commission hosted successful Transit Vision Plan Public Open House Workshops in November. If you were unable to attend, please complete the Transit Vision Plan online survey! The survey questions are identical to questions asked at the public workshops. Contact Cristina Finch, Manager of Transit Planning & Programming, with any questions at (540) 343-4417.

Did You Know? Fall Foliage Facts

Click for PDF

Does Your Business Have a Temporary Sign?

Does your business have a temporary sign? Remember that temporary sign permits must be renewed at the beginning of every year. The cost is $25.00 and the Roanoke County Sign Permit Application can be found on the Planning and Zoning website . The completed Sign Permit may be emailed, mailed, faxed, or brought in to the Community Development Department on the second floor of the Roanoke County Administration Center located at 5204 Bernard Drive. If you have any questions, please call (540) 772-2068.

You're the Boss

If you own or manage a business - no matter the size - you have an enormous influence over whether or not your employees have access to transportation alternatives. Making it easy for them to chose their commute is like offering a employee benefit you don't have to pay for. And since the average commuter will save between $1,000 and $3,000 a year on their commute expenses - or more, if they have a long commute - making it easy to carpool or take the bus might just net them more than an annual raise.

Here are three easy things you can do:

Allow a flexible schedule. Not every business can do this, of course, adjusting a shift by as little as 15 minutes suddenly makes a commute by bus possible. Allowing a little flexibility on the front and back ends of a shift might facilitate a carpool that wasn't previously available.

Set aside a preferred parking space. If parking is at a premium at your building, set aside a couple of spaces in prime spaces for carpoolers only. A premium parking spot can be a huge incentive, and peer pressure alone tends to keep people honest. Premium parking can extend to bicycles, too: put racks near your front door or, even better, allow employees to park their bicycles inside.

Offer IRS transportation fringe benefits. The IRS offers three classes of tax-deferred benefits: transit, parking, and bicycle. Employees can take dollars out of their paychecks pre-tax to pay for bus passes, monthly parking, or bicycle-related expenses such as tubes and helmets. Employers have the option to contribute to these amounts, but even if you don't, both you and your employees will reduce your social security and other employment-related tax burden, making this option a double- whammy of savings.

If you think you're too small for a commuter options program, think again. Most carpooling, for example, takes place across employers, or in places with a lot of employment density - such as the 419 corridor or Plantation Road north.

Helping employees connecting to transportation options doesn't have to cost you a thing - and it will save them a ton.

The RIDE Solutions Workplace program can help you get off the ground with a commuter options program, and even help you get recognized for your efforts through a Bicycle Friendly Business or Best Workplaces for Commuters designation. To get started, visit the RIDE Solutions Employers webpage or contact Program Director Jeremy Holmes at (540) 342-9393.

Have a great end to 2015!